"Remember, behind every online profile is a person seeking genuine connection."
Marina Couto Tweet
Marina Couto is the Vice President of Talent Development at the Brazillionaires® Agency of Five Rings Financial, a company she co-founded with her husband in 2014. Dedicated to providing tailored financial guidance to Brazilians navigating the complexities of their finances in the United States, Marina’s leadership has been pivotal in shaping the agency’s trajectory.
With a steadfast commitment to nurturing talent, Marina has spearheaded the development and implementation of the agency’s Training Program. This program has been instrumental in shaping the careers of over 500 licensed agents, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles.
Drawing from her extensive background in Corporate Marketing and Sales spanning over a decade, Marina brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her tenure in these fields has honed her ability to set high standards for recruiting and training, covering a spectrum from technical proficiency to business acumen to interpersonal skills.
Her primary focus remains on empowering agents to deliver outstanding financial solutions, thereby reinforcing the agency’s reputation for excellence in the industry.
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We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Marina Couto: I’m Marina Couto and I am the Vice President in charge of Talent Development at the Brazillionaires® Agency of Five Rings Financial.
I co-founded the agency with my husband in 2014 and it focuses on providing tailored financial guidance to Brazilians navigating the complexities of their finances in the United States.
Over the years, I’ve been responsible for developing and implementing our Training Program which has shaped the careers of over 500 licensed agents.
Prior to coming to the financial industry, I spent over 10 years in Corporate Marketing and Sales.
I draw from that experience to create our high standards of recruiting and training, ranging from technical to business to interpersonal. My focus is to ensure that our agents are well-equipped to deliver outstanding financial solutions, solidifying the agency’s reputation for excellence.
How has the significance of networking evolved over the past decades?
Marina Couto: In my opinion, one of the biggest developments that has affected the significance of networking has been the growth, both in volume and relevance, of social media.
When living in a virtual world where so many times we don’t have the benefit of in-person interaction and all of the different layers of connection that come with it, mastering the true principles of networking and understanding that we are still connecting with real people makes all the difference; the people who can do that stand out.
Gone are the days when networking was about accumulating contacts. Today it is about cultivating authentic relationships that transcend the digital space.
Now more than ever it has to be about bridging the gap between the virtual and real world, understanding that behind every online profile is a human being seeking genuine connections.
Can you share a personal story where one networking interaction led to unexpected doors opening, and how it highlights the ripple effect of networking?
Marina Couto: I have a story I love that is right along those lines. We’ve been part of the Rotary Club in our town for many years and at the time my husband was also the President of a club of which most members are Brazilian.
For that reason, we were invited to a meeting with Rick Scott, the Governor of Florida at the time, along with the Brazilian Embassy, the Brazilian Business Group and others. The Governor wanted to hear about the challenges faced by the Brazilian community in Florida and how to better support it.
In the meeting we were able to forge a great connection which resulted, a few months later, in an invitation to join the Governor and the First Lady for dinner in Tallahassee. And guess the nature of the meeting? To promote networking between community leaders in Florida!
What are some common networking mistakes people make, and how can they pivot to turn potential missteps into learning experiences?
Marina Couto: One of the biggest mistakes is to “keep things professional.” I am a big proponent of “keeping things human.” The key is to look for a true connection by being genuinely interested in the human being in front of you. The best way to do that is to ask questions.
We train our consultants in networking by using the FORM method. It consists of taking the position of “being interested” rather than “being interesting.”
You do that by asking questions that let people talk about the areas they love the most in their lives because that’s where the most opportunities for connection exist. FORM is an acronym and it stands for Family, Occupation, Recreation and Motivation. It is very effective in creating interesting conversations and genuine connections.
Another common mistake is approaching networking with a mindset solely focused on personal gain- wanting to receive before offering any value in return. I always try to contribute to a new connection first and it is not difficult to do so.
When you network effectively you will have lots of contacts and those can be real gold for other professionals. One of the things I love doing is making introductions between people that I can see doing business together, whether by becoming each other’s clients or by forming partnerships. That creates reciprocity of both parties towards you and can be so valuable.
How do you see the future of networking evolving with the rise of AI, VR, and other technologies?
Marina Couto: In this tech-driven future, the key will be to leverage these tools as enablers rather than substitutes for authentic engagement.
It is incredible to think that VR, for example, could promote networking by simulating real-world interactions in virtual spaces. This can break down geographical barriers, enabling professionals to connect and collaborate regardless of physical location.
However, the success of these tools will hinge on the authenticity and depth of the connections formed.
As we embrace these technological advancements, it’s crucial to maintain a balance that enhances, rather than replaces, the human touch in networking. The key is to remember that behind virtual environments are real human beings, these tools are just additional ways to get in touch.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Marina Couto for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Marina Couto or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.